Sleeping in an old carpentry workshop.  

We are going to Franeker! Reason? A historic building on the quay has been converted into a B&B. A B&B with a story. And we want to experience that ourselves. When we arrive, the door is already open and we are welcomed with a smile by Tjarda and her youngest son. Beautiful flowers in a vase, soft music in the background and candles burning. It immediately feels good here. 

Wim Auke and Tjarda had a dream. With a past in the catering industry of Wim Auke and the passion of Tjarda for styling and flowers, the dream became a reality. Since February 2022 there is the Bed & Breakfast at the Turfkade 9 in Franeker. The building has had several owners through the years. Once there was a distillery, but the most appealing was the history of the carpenter. Mr Annema had his workshop in the now central space. On the ground floor was the coal shed and on the first floor was a small carpenter's shop.  

With three rooms and a common room, guests get more than just a bed and breakfast. The comfort provided almost makes it feel like a hotel. But less anonymous and with a genuinely homely atmosphere. You can have a wonderful sleep in "de Opslag", a quiet room on the ground floor in the rear part of the building. In the maisonette "the Carpenter's Room" with a sitting area and separate sleeping loft with a somewhat steep dark red staircase. Or in "de Houtzolder" with a view of the Noordergracht. Each room has its own spacious bathroom, coffee and tea facilities, flat & sparkling water from Stella Maris, a sitting area and a king-size double Auping bed. Prefer two separate duvets? It is possible, just like adding a cot. Downstairs there is a common room with an open kitchen. You will find several books in the cupboard. There is room to have a drink after a day on the road. And in the morning you can enjoy a fresh breakfast here. 

The inner city of Franeker is still partly surrounded by a beautiful bulwark with old tea houses on top. The old city centre has beautiful canals and various historical buildings. If you go for a walk, be sure to go upstairs. Visit the Korendragershuisje, the Martinikerk, Academiegebouwen, Professorenhuizen and Museum Martena. And be sure to drop by the Royal Eise Eisinga Planetarium. Franeker as the star of the eleven cities is centrally located in Friesland. The cities Leeuwarden and Harlingen are easy to reach by train (station at walking distance from the B&B), but also places like Bolsward and Dokkum are worth visiting. Get a breath of fresh air on the dike or spend a day on one of the islands. Cycle through the farmlands or experience the surroundings from the water and sail in a sloop over the many waterways of Franeker and Friesland. Nice idea: arrive with your own boat and more at the door of the Turfkade. Enjoy the beautiful waters in the surroundings of Franeker and spend the night in the Bed & Breakfast.  

Curious about the B&B and Franeker? Then already check the availability for your next outing in our beautiful Netherlands.